Hightest Staff

JIM & TEAL KNAPP

Owners

Jim & Teal purchased Hightest in 2018 with the intention of carrying on the tradition of quality training and breeding that Hightest has become renowned for. Prior to purchasing Hightest, Jim and Teal owned Wyman Creek Kennel, a dog training/boarding facility also located in Butte County. They successfully trained dogs for obedience, agility, search and rescue, and hunting.

Teal is a nationally recognized Senior Licensed Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Instructor (GDOMI). She worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind from 1990-2013, training more than 3,000 dogs for blind and visually impaired handlers.

Jim is an agriculture teacher at Las Plumas High School in Oroville. He has been teaching agriculture at LP for over 25 years and operates the farming operation both at Hightest and on the family farm. Jim is an avid bird and big game hunter. He has trained his personal retrievers to hunt for more than thirty years.

BAILEY

Puppy Building Manager/Trainer

Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

BAILEY has had a big heart for animals since childhood. She currently hunts over her own Labrador during duck season and Hound dogs during raccoon season. She enjoys experiencing each dogs development, start to finish, and is dedicated to getting the optimum result with her dogs in training. Bailey became the Puppy Building Manger in 2018 and thrives on raising our puppies, ensuring they are of the best health and temperament before they are placed in loving homes. Bailey joined our training team in 2017 and has successfully placed 5 active Diabetic Alert Service dogs across the nation.

MELISSA

Kennel Manager

MELISSA is our beloved Kennel Manager. She has an amazing eye for detail and keeps our facilities in outstanding shape which is why she was promoted to oversee all daily happenings at Hightest since 2018. Every dog boarded and trained at our kennel is under the direct supervision of Melissa. Recently she has been participating in AKC Scent Trials with her Labrador Wylde, and establishing a new program at Hightest directed around scent detection. You can also find Melissa in our breeding facilities assisting with the care of our puppies and breeding stock.

OWEN

Gun Dog Trainer

OWEN is an avid duck and upland hunter. He was raised with and hunted over German Shorthair Pointers growing up in the Suisun area. Owen enjoys introducing dogs to new hunting scenarios and nurturing their natural drive and workability. He has worked with multiple professional trainers since starting in our Gun Dog Program, adding countless techniques to his training methods. Owen and his Labrador Pride have competed in multiple AKC Hunt Tests. He also fosters one of our dams Kaos, competing in AKC Hunt Tests and Scent Trials with her.

LINDSEY

Head Gun Dog Trainer

Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

LINDSEY has several years of experience working at Hightest and training with the previous owners. She currently manages the training program for all of our breeding stock, started dogs, and assists in our Gun Dog program. Lindsey has successfully trained and titled 40+ Labradors in AKC Hunt Tests since 2019. She's worked closely with several professional trainers over the years, continuing to add a wealth of knowledge to her training career. Lindsey has a natural ability to read dogs, allowing her to adjust her training methods with an "out of the box" technique that fascinates all of her clients and coworkers alike. Rain or shine, you'll find Lindsey in our fields preparing her dog's for their next Hunt Test!

BAYLIE

Gun Dog Trainer

BAYLIE comes to Hightest with a horse training background. She is known locally for her ability to naturally connect with animals and enrich their bond. This started as a hobby with her Pitbull, Nova teaching her obedience in public settings and tricks that'd put a smile on everyone's face. She decided to turn that into a career at Hightest in 2019 as an Obedience and Gun Dog trainer, working closely with professional trainer Gary Breitbarth. She and her Labrador, Rooster are competing in AKC Hunt Tests this year. Baylie is currently training part-time while raising her first son - who has already taken an interest to the family dogs and horses.

DEXTER

Obedience Trainer

DEXTER started at Hightest in 2021, and quickly showed interest in joining our training team. He has since worked with a handful of professional trainers and spends a ton of his personal time researching additional training methods. Dexter has a naturally patient and engaging training style with his dogs in training - and their owners. He excels in teaching clients how to have fun while teaching and training their dogs to be obedient both in the home and in public. Dexter and his Labrador Whiskey are competing in AKC Scent Trials this year.